Chapter two of Jane S. Gerber's book explores the Golden Age of Jews in Spain during the 10th and 11th centuries, when, under Muslim rule, Jews experienced unprecedented prosperity and significant cultural integration. It highlights the influence of Cordoba as a cultural and economic center, where coexistence and collaboration among Muslims, Jews, and Christians fostered vibrant intellectual and commercial exchange. The magnificent architecture of the Great Mosque and the city of Madinat az-Zahra exemplify this splendor. Similarly, Gerber describes how Jews engaged in Mediterranean trade and acted as cultural intermediaries, enabling the flourishing of their communities in cities such as Seville, Lucena, and Granada, until the eventual disruption of this golden age with the Christian Reconquest and expulsion in 1492.

Bibliography:
Gerber, Jane S. The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience. Free Press, 1992.